New store owner keeps memory alive

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Judy Pethick’s prominent personality and her overt compassion made a discernible impact on the community in the three decades she ran the Golden West Jewelry store in Strathmore – the town’s second oldest business. Described as a strong willed woman whose selfless acts and community involvement often took precedence over business hours, her recent passing tugged at the heartstrings of hundreds of residents who flocked to the store to pay their respects. Unable to continue on with the business, her only child Wendy Rubner opted to sell the business to local pastor and owner of Ringneck Kennels, Elizabeth Karp, who plans to keep the store, and Pethick’s memory, alive.
“All throughout my life, my mom has always been doing some kind of business to keep herself busy, and sometimes two or three just like Elizabeth, and Strathmore needed a jewelry store,” Rubner said. “The community has been absolutely incredible. They supported her this whole time and it’s hard for me to find the words without getting emotional. When she passed, hundreds of people came into the store. I didn’t know the extent of what she did until I started hearing it from the community. I knew she was a good person and I knew she had love for everybody no matter of colour, race, or what they looked like, she never judged anybody and was always there for them and helped them out.”
Pethick and her family opened Golden West Jewelry in 1984 while she was still working at Rexall Drugs. The following year she took on the store full-time, but it was her passion for the community, family members said, that kept her operating the store for 30 years. Rubner, who lives with her family in Calgary, was overwhelmed when community members shared stories about her mother closing the store to be with a family when their loved one was in the hospital, attending church to help somebody out when it wasn’t her denomination, and organizing presents for an individual who lacked the funds to purchase them himself. While Karp never had the pleasure of meeting Pethick, her curiosity piqued upon meeting Rubner. With the creation of a homeless shelter and other ministries – such as the bread ministry – at the Harvest Healing Centre church requiring ongoing funds, Karp came the conclusion that the purchase of the renowned business would not only preserve part of Strathmore’s history and plug a void, but also accumulate ongoing funds for services crucial to the wellbeing of the community – the embodiment of Pethick’s beliefs.
“Not a lot of businesses have been here for 30 years so it’s part of Strathmore’s history,” said Karp. “I didn’t know her personally… but some friends of mine did. They said she was quite a character. If she made up her mind she made up her mind and you just didn’t mess with it. I didn’t know her, but I said I would keep her picture… we’ll put it up in the store.”
While the essence of the store will remain intact, Karp said the store has already undergone significant changes. In addition to a new colour scheme to decor, and some additional brands, upon its opening the store will also be subject to a name change to the Strathmore Jewelry Boutique. The store is anticipated to hold its grand opening on Feb. 8 just in time for Valentine’s Day. Although the outcome resulted from mournful circumstances, Rubner is confident the new ownership will continue on the store’s prosperity.
“For me it was very difficult to have to close, so it’s bittersweet, but at the same time I can’t be here but I want it to succeed, and it’s perfect, she’s perfect,” said Rubner of handing over the business to Karp.
“It’s a big decision, and the store needs that nurturing so locally it’s exactly what the store needs. This is exactly what my mom would’ve wanted.”